'Housewives' slammed for Philippines slur

Desperate Housewives has sparked complaints after a character joked about the quality of medical training in the Philippines.

More than 30,000 viewers signed a petition when Susan (Teri Hatcher) was seen to be dismissive of the country's schools.

After asking a doctor if she was entering the menopause in the scene, the character said: "OK, before we go any further, can I check these diplomas? Just to make sure they aren't, like, from some med school in the Philippines?"

Broadcaster ABC has been urged to axe the comment and issue an apology, but a spokesman said: "There was no intent to disparage the integrity of any aspect of the medical community in the Philippines."